Hey folks, back again for another review of DC’s ongoing Green Arrow, written by Joshua Williamson and art back to being handled by Sean Izaakse! Good to have ya back, Sean. This issue is setting up some new stuff for the book, so let’s get right into the thick of it.
First things first, the issue deals with the fallout of the recent Beast World event (which I didnt read, so I really can’t comment on how it relates to it in any way), which has resulted in Amanda Waller securing control of the Hall of Justice from the League, and everything inside. Only Ollie seems brave enough to try infiltrating it to get some answers, mostly for himself due to what’s going on lately with our good buddy Roy Harper, last seen in this book going after Waller (and off having his own adventures in another book at the moment). Though the issue takes a bit of a swerve, with Waller actually asking a favor of good ol’ Green Jeans, in return for information about where she’s sent off Roy and how to properly deal with Malcolm Merlyn from the last arc.
What does she want? The secrets of SANCTUARY of course, the record of all the DCU’s heroes’ traumas and deepest secrets, from the much maligned Heroes in Crisis story line. Now, my first reaction to this was apprehension. I don’t think most of us want anything to do with that…. something or other of a story, and collectively the fans and DC themselves seemingly have tried to move on and forget anything from that event ever happened. However, I will admit this is the sort of thing I can absolutely see Amada Waller trying to get her hands on, it fits her M.O, and it is something that I could see Ollie potentially agreeing to. I’ll give credit to Williamson, he’s taken ideas I haven’t liked and done cool things with them before, so I’m willing to wait this story out and see if he can’t be one of the first people to wring some decent storytelling out of H.I.C.
DC Comics
Off to the side of that, we have a short scene of Conner Hawke seeking out none other than John Diggle, a character who debuted in the CW Arrow TV show, and is one of the few concepts from that…. let’s say, “unique” take on G.A’s mythos, that actually managed to cross boundaries into the mainline comics’ universe and manage to stick around. He was last seen during the Rebirth era, which should come as relief to those who may have been worried that Williamson was only interested in mining the pre-new 52 era for his run. He’s got respect for everything and all in-between, which is an unambiguously a good thing.
DC Comics
It’s nice to have Sean Izaakse back on penciller duties! The last couple issues have shuffled around between different artists, but I still think Izaakse is THE guy for the look of this era of the book. He really impressed me with those early issues and I’m happy to see him back drawing the jolly green jackass. It’s important for a run to establish a “look”, and as much as I’m always gonna welcome some Hester here and there, Izaakse is firmly established as the “look” for this book, to me at least. Hope ya stick around, man!
This issue gave me a bit of pause at first, I’ll admit. I’m not the biggest fan of CW’s G.A, and I’m certainly no fan of Heroes in Crisis, but I AM a fan of Williamson, so I more than trust his ability to take these aspects of stories I’m not super hot on and turn me around to their inclusion (not like Diggle is even anywhere close to H.I.C in my rankings, considering I actually LIKE him, but still). I’m eager to see where this goes, and cautiously optimistic.
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